Internal Resources

External Resources

Storm drains collect water outside of homes and businesses, and they channel the untreated water directly to waterways such as local creeks and the Sacramento and American rivers. More pollutants reach our waterways through storm drains than through sewage treatment plants and industrial discharges combined. This is due to the fact that much of the storm water flows directly from its source to the creek or river without treatment. To keep our waterways clean and healthy, it is important to keep pollutants out of the storm drain system.

The State Water Resources Control Board oversees the discharge of storm water into creeks and rivers in California. Under Water Quality Order Number 2003-0005-DWQ, the Sacramento State campus has been issued coverage under the State General Permit. The Small Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System or MS4 permit requires the campus to develop and implement a Storm Water Management Plan (SWMP). The goal of the plan is to reduce the discharge of pollutants to the maximum extent practicable (MEP) through the use of best management practices (BMPs). Over the period of development and implementation of the plan, the campus office of Environmental Health and Safety will develop programs for each of the following areas:

Public Education and Outreach

Public Involvement/Participation

Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination

Pollution Prevention and Good Housekeeping

Construction Site Storm Water Management

Post-Construction Storm Water Management

Information on the EPA and State Water Resources Board storm water programs, along with a link to the campus Storm Water Management Plan, are listed under additional resources above.